Isanjiro Community 2

May, 2025: Isanjiro Community Spring Protection Complete!

Your contribution has made access to clean water for the Isanjiro Community possible!

We transformed their spring into a flowing source of naturally filtered water. A chlorine dispenser was installed to provide added protection, and we trained the community on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will unlock the opportunity for community members to thrive!

Moses Shitanda shared his exuberance about his family's future. "My grandchildren are extremely excited. At night, they always make stories about how beautiful the spring will look after completion and will help them get clean water for washing, cooking, and drinking. This is a foundation of happiness and quality [of] life through access to clean water. When they are happy and at peace, good grades will come, and they will grow to become whoever they want to be in society, either doctors, nurses, teachers, etc."

Mr. Shitanda.

"When my children travel back from the towns they are working in, I am sure they will be proud, and they will feel safe accessing safe and clean water. A big difference and impact has already been seen," he continued.

Children were just as excited as adults about clean water access!

13-year-old Teresa shared, "My parents will not have to worry about the water we use since it will be coming from a trusted source. Cases of sickness will reduce. Hence, there will be [a] full attendance at school, and our parents will not have to worry about money for hospital treatment. Instead, they will only focus on providing money for school fees. This new waterpoint will help us live a healthy life filled with joy and prosperity."

Teresa carrying water from the newly protected spring.

Preparing for Spring Protection

Community members worked together to source all locally available construction materials for the spring. These included bricks, sand, stones, and fencing poles. Because people have to carry most items by hand, the material-collection process can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.

Materials collected by the Isanjiro Community.

When the community was ready, we delivered the remaining construction materials, including cement, plastic tarps, and hardware. Then our construction artisan and field officers deployed to the spring to begin work.

Protecting the Spring: A Step-by-Step Process

First, we excavated the spring area. This includes digging a drainage channel below the spring and several runoff diversion channels above and around the spring to help divert surface contaminants away.

Excavating the spring to prepare for the foundation.

To ensure community members could still access water throughout the construction process, we also dug temporary channels around the construction site to allow water to continue to flow. Excavation created space for setting the spring's foundation.

Establishing the foundation.

After establishing the base, made of thick plastic, wire, concrete and waterproof cement, we started brickwork to build the spring walls and stairs. Once the walls were tall enough, we began one of the most crucial steps: setting the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe needs to be positioned low enough so the water level never rises above the spring's eye, yet high enough to allow room for the average collection container (20-liters) to sit beneath the pipe without making contact, to prevent cross-contamination.

Setting the discharge pipe.

If we place the pipe too high, back pressure could force water to emerge elsewhere. Too low, and community members would not be able to access the water easily.

Cementing stones on either side of the spring to prevent erosion.

In coordination with the walls and stairs, we cemented stones on both sides of the spring's drainage channel. These stones discourage people and animals from standing in that area, which could cause soil erosion and a clogged drainage area.

Plastering the spring floor.

We then cemented and plastered the spring walls. These finishing layers reinforce the brickwork and prevent water in the reservoir from seeping through. In turn, enough pressure builds to push water out through the discharge pipe.

Installing tiles beneath the discharge pipe to prevent erosion.

As the walls cured, we finished the stairs and installed tiles beneath the discharge pipe. The tiles protect the concrete from the falling water's erosive force.

We redirected the temporary diversion channels back into the reservoir box and closed all other exits to force water through only the discharge pipe. We filled the reservoir area with the large, clean stones arranging them in layers like a well-fitting puzzle. We covered the rocks with thick plastic and piled enough dirt on top to compensate for future settling.

Community member planting grass above the spring.

Community members transplanted grass to help prevent erosion, and the collection area was fenced. The fence prevents people or animals from walking in the area above the spring, as compaction of this area can potentially compromise water quality.

The construction process took about two weeks of work and patience. As soon as the spring was ready, people got the okay from their local field officers to fetch water.

We officially gave ownership of the waterpoint to the Isanjiro Community.

Happiness and thanksgiving flowed in all directions!

Training on Health, Hygiene, and More

Together with the community, we found their preferred date for training. When the day arrived, facilitators Amos, Tracy, and Wesley deployed to the site to lead the event. 15 people attended the training, including 13 women and 2 men.

We discussed personal, oral, and environmental hygiene, emphasizing proper water handling, soap-making, and the ten steps of handwashing. We also highlighted the importance of primary health care and covered the operation and maintenance of the water point, as well as leadership and governance. By the end of the training, each participant had a clear understanding of their role in maintaining clean water and promoting good health within their community.

Soapmaking training session - everyone joined in!

We held an election for the newly formed water user committee who will oversee the maintenance of the spring. We brainstormed income-generating activities and encouraged them to start a group savings account for future minor repairs to the spring.

Field Officer Amos shared about the training group, "The participants' engagement in the activities showed [an] indication of people who are ready to enhance their hygiene by acquiring the knowledge. They were impressed with oral hygiene, handwashing, and primary health care techniques presented by the trainers. Their commitment and interactive participation in the demonstrations during the training is [a] pure indication of dedication."

Ruth Burudi (right) and Teresa (left, previously quoted)

We asked Ruth Burudi, a local farmer, what the most interesting topic in the training was for her.

She said, "Soap making: I loved this topic because it inspired me as a woman and a mother. In our daily chores of cleaning, we use a lot of soap. If I can make it myself, it will save me a lot of money. The soap we made is able to sustain cleaning activities in my house for months, thus [it] will cut my spending on expensive bar soaps. It was well presented by teacher Caro; she used simple terms that we understood well. I loved how she involved us in every activity of the process. I feel happy we were the ones who made it. "

She continued sharing about another topic she enjoyed learning about, spring maintenance. "The onsite training at the spring was very interesting. The demonstrations were good, with lots of elements of humor from the trainers. We asked a lot of questions because it was interesting and enjoyable. I couldn't imagine the teachers having every detail on how we fetch water, carry it, and how contamination occurs from the source to the storage."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

April, 2025: Exciting Progress in Isanjiro Community!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Moses and the entire Isanjiro Community. Construction has begun on the spring protection project, bringing them one step closer to having clean, reliable water.

But that's not all—during construction, we’re also providing vital health training. These sessions equip the community with essential hygiene practices, ensuring that the benefits of clean water extend to lasting health improvements.

We’re so grateful for your role in making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates—soon, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of safe water in the Isanjiro Community!